European Parliament member Tineke Strik joined the protest of the Bosnians diaspora in Brussels on Monday to raise the voice about the political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and calling for immediate reaction of the international community, particularly the European Union.

Addressing the crowd, Strik said that many citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina fear of a new war, as they see the similarities of this situation with that in the 1990s which preceded the armed conflict.

However, she stressed, the current situation differs from the one in the 1990s thanks to the Dayton Peace Agreement and the institutions protecting it – the EUFOR and the Office of the High Representative, who need firm support in protecting the Bosnian citizens and promoting the peace and democracy.

She criticised the EU for a mild or no reaction to the developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying that this is only emboldening Milorad Dodik, the Bosnian Serb leader, who, as she said, attempts to divide the country and undermines the state institutions established by the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“Yesterday Dodik showed how far he’s willing to go. During an illegal celebration of the Serb’s national day, paramilitary units marched the streets and convicted war criminals attended ceremonies. An undoubtedly frightening scene for war-survivors,” the MEP stressed, referring to the unconstitutional January 9 celebration of the Day of Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity.

Today, in cities worldwide, we raise our voice about the political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The EU is sending the wrong signal, namely that threats are being rewarded and that it is ok to intimidate Bosnian citizens”. ⤵ (1/3) pic.twitter.com/p75EBsU1Qw

— Tineke Strik (@Tineke_Strik) January 10, 2022

She stressed that Dodik must be stopped and called on the EU to follow the steps of the USA, which imposed the sanctions on Dodik last week.

“We urge the EU Commission and EU Council to stop turning a cold shoulder to BiH's citizens. Come up with a coordinated response, impose sanctions against Dodik and fully support reinstating peace and a solid democracy,” Strik underlined.